House File 2154 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 2154 BY BARKER A BILL FOR An Act relating to the placement of siblings when custody of 1 the siblings has been transferred to the department of 2 health and human services or an agency for placement. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 5915YH (4) 91 dg/ko

H.F. 2154 Section 1. Section 232.108, Code 2026, is amended by adding 1 the following new subsection: 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 8. Notwithstanding any provision of law to 3 the contrary, this section shall not apply, and the department 4 shall not be required to place a child with a sibling, if all 5 of the following apply: 6 a. The child’s custody, or the sibling’s custody, was 7 previously transferred to the department and the department 8 placed the child or the sibling. 9 b. The department determined that the child and the sibling 10 have little or no established relationship. 11 EXPLANATION 12 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 13 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 14 This bill relates to the placement of siblings together when 15 custody of the siblings has been transferred to the department 16 of health and human services (HHS) or an agency for placement 17 (placing agency). 18 Under current law, HHS or a placing agency must make 19 reasonable efforts to place siblings together whenever possible 20 if such placement is in the best interests of each child. 21 The bill makes the requirement to place siblings together 22 inapplicable, and removes HHS’s requirement to place siblings 23 together, when a child’s custody, or the child’s sibling’s 24 custody, was previously transferred to HHS, HHS placed the 25 child or the sibling, and HHS determined that the child and the 26 sibling have little or no established relationship. 27 -1- LSB 5915YH (4) 91 dg/ko 1/ 1